Fuel Prices Are Dropping

After what seems like an eternity, fuel prices are finally dropping to a figure that will allow people to have a little more disposable income. I know that most are going to be squirmish about spending this income as everyone expects this drop will more than likely not last as long as the increase did.

I think that we all can expect the drop to last through November anyway...the elections. As sad as it is to even think this, the powers that be are now allowing lower fuel prices in hopes of finding forgiveness in their constituents in order to be re-elected. Perhaps a friend of mine is right, if we want to keep low fuel prices...clean house. Vote for the new guy and get the old guy out! No incumbents.

Back on topic...with the fuel prices dropping this will have a somewhat positive effect for the RV industry. Dealers will be dropping prices on new units to move them out for the '07 models. Most dealers and manufacturer's will use the drop as a selling pont in their advertising as "still the cheapest way to take a vacation".

With what I suspect to be an increase in sales and movements of trailers, FEMA is still in the mix this year as well. A year later and FEMA still can't make up it's mind on where to put the trailers ordered from last year. As of this writing FEMA is moving hundreds, if not thousands of trailers from Baton Rouge, La to Hope, AR. Plus with a termite problem...should something happen FEMA may have to order more trailers.

I see many positives with the transport industry right now. If you have been thinking about becoming a transporter perhaps now may be a good time to take the step. For more information just click the link on the right.

Five Years Later

In every life there are events that happen which one remembers the smallest of details as to what they were doing at that exact moment or where they were when they heard the news. September 11, 2001 is one of those events. The difference in this event as opposed to others was this marked the 1st day of a changed nation if not world.

September 11, 2001 started for me as any other morning. I was up early, made coffee, and went down the hall to my office. My office was in my home but I normally didn't have the TV on. I was doing what I always did every morning. Looking over the loads I had to move for the day, post loads, check truck availability...just another day at the office.

By 7:00 A.M. the phones were beginning to ring, emails began coming in, carriers accepting loads, shippers scheduling loads...another busy day in the life of a freight broker. Then it stopped! It was so sudden that I remember thinking that my phones had quit working. One minute I was brokering freight, had people on the phone holding, emails being received, faxes being received...and suddenly, as if someone had turned a switch, nothing. A complete eerie silence.

I was the only one in my house and I didn’t have the TV on, so I hadn’t a clue. As odd and eerie as I new the events were I still moved forward. I picked up the phone and called a carrier to discuss a load. I still remember the conversation “oh man, we’re not doing nothing right now. Have you seen the news? A plane just hit the WTC….”

What?

So much has changed since that one phone call.

God Bless America!

What Experience Do I Need To Become A Freight Broker?

The answer you'll hear most is "...be a dispatcher for a couple years then look into becoming a freight broker." Normally you'll hear this answer from freight brokers more than anyone else.

Before and after I became a broker, passing on the advice of becoming a dispatcher first, I often wondered what the logic was behind becoming a dispatcher first. Was this a required point of entry to the profession? Obviously not since I became a broker. Could it be that I would learn how to broker freight by being a dispatcher? No, I would learn how to dispatch trucks and deal with truck drivers. Then what could it be? Why was I being told to become a dispatcher first.

Truth be told, whenever I asked a broker how to get in the business they would almost seem frightened. Perhaps frightened is too strong a word, lets say they were less than eager to offer real advice. Often I would hear "...you can have my job." Well that made no sense. If you don't like your job just quit. If you're not making enough money then why are you doing it? In short, I became a broker without any help from those already in the business. Not easy, but I did. If you plan on doing it this way I wish you luck. One day we'll post a blog concerning the first 6 months of my broker career and why it would have been nice to have had a FBT Workshop to attend.

To answer the question: What Experience Do I Need To Become A Freight Broker? None. If you have any type of transportation experience it is helpful and puts you ahead of the curve. Being a freight broker is more than just knowing the difference between a flat bed and a dry van. It's sales, marketing, computer skills, budgeting, people management, prospecting, presentations and much more. All from the comfort of your office, be it at home or someplace else.

Our FBT Workshops offer you a crash course on being a Freight Broker. Who attends FBT Workshops? We've had peple from all walks of life attend. From stay-at-home mom's seeking career to former NFL Football players making an investment. By attending a FBT Workshop, you'll find that your training isn't over once your Workshop is finished. By attending a FBT Workshop you receive 1 year of FBT eWorkshop plus unimited phone support. Currently we boast of having a 100% placement rate for those wishing to become Freight Broker/Agents.

To learn more about becoming a freight broker visit our web site by clicking on the links to the right or by visiting our sites at www.fbt101.com or www.taltoa.com.

Something New & Free!

Today is September 3, Labor Day Weekend. I truely hope that you are having a great "last blast of summer" holiday.

I wanted to break from our norm of discussing transport topics in order to share with you some new and exciting information which can increase your knowledge of the transportation industry. Best of all it's FREE!

The TALTOA Podcasts discuss important, and not so important issues, concerning the transportation industry. Hosted by "Trainer Mike" the Podcasts are approximately 10 minutes in length for easy downloading to your player or iPod.

Note the above paragraph...yes you can get a Podcast player if you do not have an iPod. Another nice thing...the players are FREE! Players are available from iTunes by clicking here and following the instructions at the bottom of our Podcast page.

The TALTOA Podcasts are entertaining and informative providing discussions, comments, information, news, and interviews concerning being a freight broker and being a RV Transporter.

We hope that you will subscribe to the TALTOA Podcast. Information on doing so is provided at www.taltoa.com.